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Launched in 1992 by a New Zealand dad Mountain Buggy prides itself on more than 20 years making all terrain buggies for off-road and city performance.
Suitable from birth upwards the brand’s motto is ‘We listen. We develop. We deliver’ leading to awards including a Mother & Baby Gold award for its slim-line Duet in 2014 and a silver Prima Baby award for its Terrain buggy in 2015.
The Swift is a compact, all-terrain buggy which is designed both to navigate the city with ease and to be taken off-road with 10” air filled tyres and a swivel front wheel.
If you like the look of the Mountain Buggy Swift, here's a video of Mountain buggy's Cosmopolitan pushchair. See what you think.
Specifically designed not to take up too much boot space the Swift requires less force than rival brands to pop up the front wheel thanks to its weight distribution.
An updated version of its ever-popular 3-wheeled buggy released in 2010, the new Swift is now travel system compatible, a little lighter, more compact and has a one-hand fold amongst other new features.
What’s different on this new 2015 Mountain Buggy Swift?
The Swift has previously been criticised for having a small seat but this one is really roomy with a comfy padded cushion, which is also machine washable.
I also love the new harness – instead of having to fiddle around matching up two or more buckles at the same time in order to secure the straps there’s a four-point harness which you click in one at a time – such a simple feature but one which makes life so much easier, especially if you have a squirmer like me.
Is it easy to put together?
Yes, the buggy comes folded and boxed with picture instructions and literally ‘pops’ up in a matter of minutes.
It took me under 10 minutes to fully assemble the pushchair, even with the ‘help’ of my one-year-old son Maxi and four-year-old daughter Bluebell.
Can it be folded with one hand?
Although I’m sure some people probably could manage the fold one handed I haven’t actually managed to, but with a bit more practise I probably could.
Tell us about the break?
The break is on the handle bar instead of the wheel, which is perfect if, like me, you have a buggy board attached to the bottom of the frame but still need to access the brake easily.
Is it compact when folded?
Yes, it is and it’s easy. The Swift is designed for urban parents who want to get out of the city without filling the entire boot with buggy and this one is really compact.
It folds down whole so you don’t have to detach the seat from the frame, and sits flat in the back of our Peugeot 208 with plenty of room to pack other things on top and around it.
How is the Swift when out and about?
At last! A sturdy all-terrain buggy you can actually steer properly with just one hand!
This was the very first thing I noticed after assembling the Swift and I hadn’t even taken it out of the front door.
The standout feature for me is that the Swift is so lightweight and easy to steer that I can hold Bluebell’s hand or pull her along on her scooter while also pushing the buggy – something I haven’t been able to do with any of the other pushchairs we’ve had.
The Swift also held up well on coastal walks on our holiday in Pembrokeshire and is also great on the pebbles on the beach in Hove.
I really like the generous canvas hood, which is great for both sun shade and rain and wind protection, and it comes with a large window so you can easily keep an eye on your baby – or play peek-a-boo like us.
The storm cover is also great – it covers the front, sides and back of the buggy generously (even your shopping) and has a zip up section at the front so if it’s only drizzling or you’re using the cover as a windbreak rather than for rain you can roll a section at the front up like a little window.
I have just two criticisms with the Swift: the storm cover has a tiny toggle in which to secure it to the frame at the bottom making it really fiddly (I’m tempted to cut it off and sew a bigger one on myself!) and Maxi, who loves to kick his legs, can kick the bumper bar off. This is so annoying that I’ve taken it off completely and don’t use it.
What about the tyres?
The old Mountain Buggy Swift model was criticised for tyres that punctured easily, but after months of daily use we haven’t had a puncture (famous last words!) and we’ve been on some pretty uneven terrain.
Tell us about the basket.
The basket underneath has room for around three supermarket shopping bags, which given that I’m on foot during the week is a must.
Is the Mountain Buggy Swift value for money?
Yes and no. At £349.99 for the single buggy (no extras) it is a brilliant all-rounder and will last about 3 years and offer a great push every time.
However, that is just the basic price, if you want to use it from birth you’ll have to pay an extra £139 for the carrycot.
If you want to use it as a travel system you’ll have to buy the car seat adaptors (£29), Protect car seat (£129) and car seat base (£69) as well making the total price £576.
And if you want to go all in and have the rain cover (£29) along with making suitable for newborns and travel system compatible, the complete price is £793, twice the basic price.
What’s in the box?
Chassis
Seat unit
Wheels
Bumper bar
Sun canopy
Shopping basket
Any additional extras?
Carrycot - £139
Mountain Buggy Protect car seat - £129
Mountain Buggy car seat ISOFIX base - £69
Mountain Buggy Swift car seat adaptors - £29
Storm cover - £29
Tyre pump - £9
Sun cover - £29
Travel bag - £39
Reversible fleece liner - £49
Made for Mums verdict:
A lightweight, easy to manoeuvre buggy for all terrains, the Swift folds away easily and offers great value for money.
It’s a comfortable and secure ride for babies and toddlers and offers exceptional quality and craftsmanship, and will take you from rural terrain to city streets effortlessly.
Natalie was Editorial Assistant for the consumer and reviews team at MadeForMums from 2019 to 2021.
Product Specifications
Product
Brand
Mountain Buggy
Model
Swift Pushchair
Price
£349.00
Suitable for
Child age (approx)
Birth to 4 years
Child weight
Up to 20kg
Dimensions & Weight
Weight
9.1kg
Dimensions
H:98cm W:58cm
Dimensions (folded)
H:31cm W:58cm L:72cm
Features
Travel system compatible
Yes
Compatible car seats
Mountain Buggy do their own car seat: the Protect. But the new Swift is also compatible with a number of car seats, including popular brand names such as Phil&Ted's, Cybex and Maxi-Cosi.
Seat facing direction
Forward facing and parent facing (with carrycot/car seat)
